Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide, according to the American Cancer Society. In the 2014 McHenry County Healthy Community Study, it was reported that in McHenry County, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

It can take years to develop signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and those signals may not show until the disease has progressed. You should remember to report any rare physical feelings to your doctor. Often, as the cancers advance, they on occasion produce some symptoms, in either the chest or elsewhere in the body.

Symptoms in the chest could be:

Coughing up phlegm or mucus, especially if it is tinged or tinted with blood

Persistent lung problems, like pneumonia or bronchitis

Changes in the voice or being hoarse

Coughing up blood

Shortness of breath

A change in color or volume of sputum

Abnormal, high-pitched sound with every breath. Often caused by blockage in the throat

Pain in the chest, shoulder or back but not related to pain from coughing.

When lung cancer has spread, some may feel symptoms in other places in the body. Common places include adrenal glands, bones, brain, liver and lymph nodes.

Symptoms appearing elsewhere could include:

Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

Blood clots

Neck or facial swelling

Headaches, bone or joint pain

Bone fractures unrelated to accidental injury

Bleeding

Fatigue

Neurological symptoms, like an unsteady gait or memory loss

Lung Cancer Risk Factors

Smoking—By far, smoking is the leading risk factor. Join Centegra’s six-week Freshstart® Tobacco Cessation program for adults. Centegra Health System and the American Cancer Society have partnered together to bring you an effective program that will help you quit smoking. To learn more or to register, visit our Freshstart® Tobacco Cessation page, call 877-CENTEGRA or visit our Calendar.

Secondhand smoke—Breathing in the smoke of other people can increase your risk of developing lung cancer by nearly 30 percent.

Radon—Radon is a radioactive gas resulting from a naturally occurring breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. The US Environmental Protection Agency has reported that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is the leading cause among non-smokers.

Asbestos

Air pollution

Radiation therapy to the lungs

Arsenic in drinking water—For most Americans who are on public water systems, the drinking water is not a major source of arsenic.

Personal or family history of lung cancer

Lung Cancer Detection

Centegra offers a low-dose CT lung screening. This simple, non-invasive screening can effectively check the health of your lungs by providing detailed pictures and revealing any abnormalities, even those as small as a pea.

This life-saving screening is recommended for men and women ages 55 to 77 years who have a 30-pack year history. This is the equivalent of smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. View our frequently asked questions about the low-dose CT lung screening.

The CT lung screening is offered at the Centegra Imaging Centers in Crystal Lake and Huntley. A physician order is required for this screening. The Centegra Imaging Center in Crystal Lake is recognized as an American College of Radiology Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center.

Prior to your initial CT Lung Screening please download and fill out the CT Lung Screening Form. If you have any questions please contact our CT Lung Program nurses at 815-759-4262.